The Gigamov 5 | Best Songs of All Time
Who made the cut?
Some songs are considered a 'hit' if they hit gold or platinum status. Others are dependent upon a well-orchestrated music video, or star power.
Some songs, however, regardless of their chart position or order of single release from an album, prove their 'classic' status through longevity - especially when the power of their music and lyrics transcends generations and demographics.
We've thought long and hard about which songs have played an important role in our own lives - which songs are uplifting from the very first note, and those which affect us emotionally, as if they were written with us in mind. So without further ado, here are our Top 5 songs of all time!
5) 'Vienna'
Ultravox (1980)
'Vienna' by Ultravox was released in 1980 on an album of the same name. It is THE definition of epic.
It starts off with a slow and gentle tempo. The soft whispering vocals continue to give it a gentle, almost haunting vibe. But as the song continues, the gear begin to change. It grows larger and gains more and more momentum until it finally finishes off with a truly mind-blowing climactic performance, giving the listener goosebumps every time.
Utravox were labelled as new wave post-punk, but this song is something else. You never heard anything like this back in the eighties, and it hasn't been replicated since.
The legacy left behind was that of a whole new style and approach to music. If you need a refresher on the song or have never heard it before, do yourself a favour and watch 'Ashes to Ashes, Vienna'. See for yourself just how grandiose and groundbreaking one song can be.
4) 'River of Dreams'
Billy Joel
(1993)
If you listen closely, the piano chords themselves are rather simple. Beginning with G C D in the verse following a gentle, relaxing tribal bongo beat, backing synth and Billy Joel's seemingly endemic call, it's the uplifting chord change to Em in the pre-chorus that truly kicks the soul into gear.
The lyrics are telling of introspection, and some of the most relatable in modern pop culture. The song begins with a beautiful metaphor: "In the middle of the night / I go walking in my sleep / to the mountains of faith / to the river so deep", creating an image in one's mind of a majestic landscape, with the purpose of humbling the listener and putting their troubles into perspective.
"Even though I know the river is wide, I walk down and meet it and stand on the shore..." No matter how difficult the obstacle, no matter how impossible it may seem, Joel knows that to overcome the problem, he must confront it head-on. 'River of Dreams' will continue to survive the test of time due to its pure relatability. Why remind listeners of the stark reality they already live day-in, day-out? Why not counsel through poetry and music instead?
As if the chords, melody and lyrics reach into your soul, Joel's 'River of Dreams' is an evocative track that remains a fan favourite in every single stadium concert he performs - no matter the rendition.
3) 'As the World Falls Down'
David Bowie
(1986)
Imagine you’re sitting on a cramped subway, desperately seeking a mental escape for the remainder of your journey home after a long day’s work. You press play on David Bowie’s ‘As the World Falls Down’ as you pop your headphones in, allowing your mind to escape the hustle and bustle of this overcrowded city vessel…
The song’s constant beat in 4/4 time will have you tapping your finger gently on your leg in your conscious state, while every second beat sees you sway gently from side to side inline with the carriage’s movement along the track. It's a magical composition that is only truly appreciated for its genius in this serene state of mind.
The slow touch of the piano keys, producing treble notes of different octaves reflect drops of dewy condensation as they drip off the petals of a pastel rose. The powerful bass, holding every third note over two beats mimics - on a subconscious level - the strengthening of a deep bond between two people, while the electric guitar creates an emotive crescendo, building the listener's passion to the highest possible point. The crescendo marks the journey upon rocky terrain into love, while the diminuendo marks the ease felt when the feeling is reciprocated by the right person, leading you out of the lonely desert and to the wide, grassy meadow of which your love can now grow.
In short, the music alone is incredibly poetic and lends itself to the individual listener's imagination.
Lyrically, Bowie employs visual imagery to describe what he wants the listener to see in his romanticised world, while describing the process of falling in love in its simplest and most beautiful form through metaphoric descriptions of his universe. The lyrics convey the intensity of his adoration for you. You are the air he breathes, the water he drinks, the land upon which he walks, the stars he gazes to at night. Without you, he simply could not exist.
This is easily a contender for one of the best songs of all time. Need we say more?
2) 'My Sweet Lord'
George Harrison
(1970)
There is something really therapeutic about 'My Sweet Lord' by George Harrison. Whether it's the simple strumming pattern and chord structure, or the repetitive hymn-like lyrics, no-one can deny its remedial qualities.
It is a song that speaks directly to the soul - its melody memorable and easily retained, making it possible for listeners to sing-a-long with instantly. Perhaps this is part of the song's reason for success: its melody and lyrics are reflective of a hymn, immediately establishing a community or congregation atmosphere as you hum or sing with Harrison and his soul singers.
There is no need for outrageous guitar solos here. Gentle vocals, modest chord changes and a song structure that avoids busy content continues to ensure 'My Sweet Lord's longevity 47 years after its release.
Whether you are religious, spiritual or neither, it is difficult to deny the therapeutic effect 'My Sweet Lord' has on the listener. Even alternate versions like that played live for 'Concert for Bangladesh' (below) will have you singing and swaying, regardless of your beliefs.
1. 'Imagine'
John Lennon
(1971)
When it comes to peace anthems, John Lennon certainly contributed a more controversial perspective. This iconic pop song is regularly referred to as one of the greatest pieces ever written - a title it has definitely earned.
'Imagine' has been played across the globe in Concerts for Peace, Concerts for Hunger, the Olympics, and countless movements and protests to provide a paradoxically radical message of peace. However, it is often overlooked as the provocative piece that is truly is.
‘Imagine’ challenges the social climate we live in through the powerful repetition of a singular word: “imagine”, which actively stimulates the vision of his utopian world. Although the lyrics, written by Lennon alone in only a single session, may seem dangerously revolutionary, its impact on the world has been profound when inspiring movements for peace; this is what allows it to remain relevant today, and what has earned it the role of one of the best songs of all time.
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